http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2F Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Dick Polman shares his observations and ruminations about American politics. en-us Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:46:52 GMT 2009-11-18T13:46:52Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=70361252&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FFreedom_for_the_uninsured.html Is it an "assault on liberty" to require us to carry health insurance? Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:46:52 GMT 59785eef51ce9eaae602d95688109ab3 Dick Polman 2009-11-18T13:46:52Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=70278902&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FFlorida_fratricide_.html The GOP civil war moves to the Sunshine State Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:56:16 GMT 7cfeee3190f23d2b97a3d313154a3093 Dick Polman 2009-11-17T15:56:16Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=70188437&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FRunning_scared.html A lack of faith in the American system of justice Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:26:33 GMT c978901d55a4d75308f4252c4afe42e4 Dick Polman 2009-11-16T15:26:33Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69978167&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FPower_and_promises.html Why the Washington lawmakers will never embrace term limits Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:08:43 GMT 65b79690c1762e79ab74e917bea4055f Dick Polman 2009-11-13T17:08:43Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69869217&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FWithout_a_clue_again.html Even Fox News is fact-checking Sarah Palin Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:56:33 GMT 61fbab63d4cf19ee896498f97d14c76b Dick Polman 2009-11-12T17:56:33Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69757522&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThe_pitfalls_of_political_correctness.html The Fort Hood shooter and the enemies within Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:53:06 GMT 1a39755fc5ee9495a2a8ca8b21e070a1 Dick Polman 2009-11-11T15:53:06Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69660652&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThe_rifle_on_the_stage.html Will the abortion issue sink health care reform? Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:32:16 GMT 2c0ced5f11820abb0e6cf067476eb5de Dick Polman 2009-11-10T16:32:16Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69562632&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FDenial_of_coverage.html A look at the House Democrats who voted No on health reform Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:32:32 GMT 1a674a9550bb90846d34045c0df9a2a7 Dick Polman 2009-11-09T15:32:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=68560707&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FFox_News_circa_1950.html What Truman could teach Obama about handling a hostile press Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:27:01 GMT fe49879e1a7be36cc27810f98b258776 Dick Polman 2009-11-02T15:27:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=68853937&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FMaine_ways_and_gay_marriage.html An important New England ballot test for marriage equality Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:17:37 GMT ca9252094ec62fa9954fa4ca5c011d7b Dick Polman 2009-11-03T16:17:37Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69077872&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FKnown_knowns_on_the_morning_after.html Diving some meaning from the '09 election results Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:56:35 GMT 4deace0cf8e6163bc8a964ba220f0586 Dick Polman 2009-11-04T15:56:35Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69377827&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FFriday_quartet.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:51 GMT e4ed8515d492ba7b2bab9a525e570533 Dick Polman 2009-11-06T16:30:51Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=69302282&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FAnatomy_of_a_falsity.html Fox News lies again Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:19:43 GMT 255f340fc2edbf0440dce003a0653f57 Dick Polman 2009-11-05T19:19:43Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=67603912&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FFriday_frights.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:35:52 GMT adb5ae06c076631c239a79e9b690bac7 Dick Polman 2009-10-30T15:35:52Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=67269507&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FI_have_lost_confidence.html A principled resignation and doubts about Afghanistan Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:16:45 GMT ff804e071630028e4c873604f65e5477 Dick Polman 2009-10-29T18:16:45Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=66914122&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThe_Carlo_Rizzi_of_the_Democratic_party.html Joe Lieberman sticks in the knife, yet again Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:01:14 GMT a996e61e27071818994755fe6b573a76 Dick Polman 2009-10-28T15:01:14Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=66423257&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FProgress_in_the_span_of_a_lifetime.html Women and the achievement of a dream Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:01:59 GMT df68e35e5625adea17def9a31734161a Dick Polman 2009-10-27T16:01:59Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=65986122&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FPurity_versus_diversity.html The Republican collision between ideologues and pragmatists Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:19:07 GMT 6cb06401e9cd6ef1a5a422c235fd7cf0 Dick Polman 2009-10-26T15:19:07Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=65900942&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThe_long_slow_road_toward_Kumbaya.html The political stakes for Democrats in the "public option" debate Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:46:28 GMT d6529ba9080d939afa332795fbe21d79 Dick Polman 2009-10-24T16:46:28Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=65772857&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FUntil_tomorrow.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:26:01 GMT 52929026b842bed5080908357355d028 Dick Polman 2009-10-23T14:26:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=65544717&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FObamas_foolish_war_of_choice.html The reasons why Obama shouldn't wage war against Fox News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:34:56 GMT 898f277238c62f51e247f5b871607458 Dick Polman 2009-10-22T15:34:56Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=65170597&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FHypocrites_bearing_gifts.html Voting no on the stimulus money, but taking it anyway Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:06:41 GMT 0525473a21fcc86aac48fbc70867b369 Dick Polman 2009-10-21T15:06:41Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=64975327&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FA_relic_of_the_racist_past.html A justice of the peace, and the long road to racial progress Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:59:33 GMT 3be0dc6c6bf3b16a990fdda41e2e95a0 Dick Polman 2009-10-20T15:59:33Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=64727722&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FOften_embarrassingly_ignorant.html Finally, sensible conservatives assail the talk show jocks Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:03:19 GMT 262b12fc863951ab0f33954e1cea90d2 Dick Polman 2009-10-19T13:03:19Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=64505162&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FFriday_snapshots.html On various political fronts, some quick riffs Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:18:41 GMT 98c949031a65f0756b8baa011f88ee58 Dick Polman 2009-10-16T16:18:41Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=64391692&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FOh_those_French.html Would an American politician who had sex with boys last long in office? Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:13:23 GMT 67c041d5cc74d9491c683a1d1786b972 Dick Polman 2009-10-15T18:13:23Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=64211172&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FOne_is_the_loneliest_number.html Health care and the tattered banner of Republican moderation Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:47:32 GMT 2b273ed007457fa2f9717f63c2813342 Dick Polman 2009-10-14T14:47:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=64082177&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FRush_Limbaugh_sports_mogul.html What if Rush owned the Rams and broadcast his own games? Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:45:32 GMT a0a85b84dcda40096053e8c92c79b5a3 Dick Polman 2009-10-13T14:45:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=64000842&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThe_celebrity_seer.html Why does anyone pay attention to John McCain? Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:06:46 GMT 61bfa3229c6ae1319dfae4775a515da2 Dick Polman 2009-10-12T15:06:46Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=63851317&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FA_trophy_for_trying.html Obama won the WHAT? Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:48:15 GMT d2e7811d7d06ab1d93322f207db51fa3 Dick Polman 2009-10-09T14:48:15Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=63765312&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FHits_buzz_and_fever_dreams.html Tracing a rumor through the conservative blogosphere Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:09:56 GMT 64eb2c9c74ee32a778128ec4f5fbdc4f Dick Polman 2009-10-08T16:09:56Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=63672387&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FRebuke_to_the_dark_age.html A casualty of Bush's war on science wins the Nobel Prize Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:57:51 GMT 6122b824a47968d5eb432a93117d4617 Dick Polman 2009-10-07T14:57:51Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=63600922&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FArrogance_and_entitlement.html The political risks of protecting a top Democrat Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:38:07 GMT 6a137b8a8c187008473ccc05ef81c792 Dick Polman 2009-10-06T15:38:07Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=63520662&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FLife_at_ground_level.html The economy, the Democrats, and "the historical meat grinder" Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:33:29 GMT 381ba956ca84c3671c22f3d9c9a2d30f Dick Polman 2009-10-05T13:33:29Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=63280522&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FRiffs_and_tiffs.html This and that, at week's end Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:38:10 GMT c620769f14b48fbab82d82f57851a543 Dick Polman 2009-10-02T16:38:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=63094392&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FBring_him_back.html The case against Roman Polanski Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:14:32 GMT e6f44af8361b5c3cf72e38976374bedf Dick Polman 2009-10-01T14:14:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=62868662&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FForget_those_cars_and_guns.html A creative tweaking of the health statistics Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:53:36 GMT 1d38d5e66ea1237ed967d8d91e9c8502 Dick Polman 2009-09-30T14:53:36Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=62584942&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThinking_outside_the_box.html Should Obama rubber stamp the military's troop hike request? Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:05:43 GMT 96f3ae464f6854eebe9e0f5cb77add57 Dick Polman 2009-09-29T15:05:43Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=62329007&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThe_pull_of_the_past.html A candidate's masters thesis comes back to haunt him Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:25:01 GMT 96642639a3208c70db0692d96dabe4ef Dick Polman 2009-09-28T15:25:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=61452477&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FGadhai_and_other_riffs.html Quick political riffs at week's end Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:47:53 GMT a1669bf31535025710be77ceb4d698b4 Dick Polman 2009-09-25T15:47:53Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=61069727&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FDamned_if_he_does_damned_if_he_doesnt.html Obama and the domestic political risks of Afghanistan Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:59:15 GMT 44682b8c35518d43c5a6feacff4b0433 Dick Polman 2009-09-24T11:59:15Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=60673907&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FThe_passionless_party_of_no.html The reasons why the GOP continues to be held in low esteem Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:03:42 GMT a91bcc1ef1dac525ecae8bfaf12bc1f5 Dick Polman 2009-09-23T15:03:42Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=60271197&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FTicket_to_ride.html Why Obama must love the Letterman show Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:02:15 GMT bd81c3b25880b2640c243199179642eb Dick Polman 2009-09-22T15:02:15Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=59987972&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FCzar_wars.html All a sudden, the Republican right is czar-struck Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:12:57 GMT 086eecc00384f06ec52401d7e78da4ee Dick Polman 2009-09-21T13:12:57Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=59735462&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FDrive-by_Friday.html On Jimmy Carter and other sundry topics Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:11:02 GMT e6e5725c1fff2937a95611c96aa4173f Dick Polman 2009-09-18T16:11:02Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=59649997&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FSmall_potatoes.html Why the ACORN story is overblown Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:02:37 GMT 16115c718c8f6f32aeeb7224a42ead1b Dick Polman 2009-09-17T19:02:37Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=59462052&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FBut_the_week_is_still_young.html Empty threats, hypocrisies, and delicious rumors Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:17:37 GMT 991d99291f8322a20ebe92635d260535 Dick Polman 2009-09-16T15:17:37Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=59337102&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FIn_the_realm_of_the_comfy_cozy.html A critique of Jay Leno's opening night political humor Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:29:45 GMT 8a0ed2db81f1f313e769e5461d4bf176 Dick Polman 2009-09-15T15:29:45Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=59223157&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FPast_and_prologue.html What is it about South Carolina, anyway? Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:16:04 GMT a749f97472a67219a8bcb9bf7bc071f5 Dick Polman 2009-09-14T13:16:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=319902&44=59034892&32=3796&7=333029&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Famericandebate%2FJoe_Wilson_and_the_conservative_id.html "You lie" as a symptom of the times we live in Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:02:58 GMT 16ee80e236a2f944b6713f93a1ad87bf Dick Polman 2009-09-11T16:02:58Z